Manchester United are considering an appeal after Patrice Evra was slapped with a four-match ban over the 'Battle of Stamford Bridge' clash.
When a charge of using racist abuse was originally levelled at Chelsea's groundsman, Sam Bethell, amid the post-match furore at Stamford Bridge on April 26, it was felt Evra would use it as justification for his over-the-top reaction.
Instead, with the FA finding there were no grounds to uphold the charge, which had been transferred to Chelsea anyway after it was decided the governing body had no jurisdiction over an employee, Evra has been left with no defence for his actions and been punished accordingly.
As he is already due to miss the December 13 visit to Tottenham after picking up his fifth booking of the season in last week's Manchester derby, Evra will miss almost a month of domestic action before he can return against, of all clubs, Chelsea at Old Trafford on January 11.
"Manchester United notes the announcement from the FA and is disappointed with the decision and in particular considers the sanctions against Patrice Evra excessive," said a club statement.
"Manchester United and Patrice will consider all options once there has been an opportunity to digest the full reasons for the decision."
Given the strength of feeling immediately after the game, when chief executive David Gill rejected a request from Chelsea to issue a statement saying there had been no problem, it is difficult to envisage United just accepting Evra's punishment without a fight.
The France full-back and assistant manager Mike Phelan were among those called to give evidence at the two-day hearing. But it seems to have done Evra little good, as he has also been fined £15,000.
Chelsea have been fined £25,000 because of Bethell's conduct.
This is stupid... now I noe y they are called the FA -> Fuking Assholes
To be honest, 2 matches or 4 matches won't make much of a difference as the 3rd and 4th matches he probably wouldn't play also...
The ban for improper conduct means he will miss the Premier League fixtures at Stoke on Boxing Day and Middlesbrough on December 29, the FA Cup third-round tie at Southampton on January 4, plus the first leg of United’s Carling Cup semi-final.
altogether 5??? plus 15k???
then wad does the groundsman get for his part? 25k fine????
wtf? the one that kena racial slurs suffer more??
wtf?
and the guy who threw a coin back at fans + point middle finger only gets a 3 match ban.
Eh then how? No left back? Or is Fabio Da Silva gonna play? If he's as good as his brother...............
Originally posted by omgukilledkenny:wtf?
and the guy who threw a coin back at fans + point middle finger only gets a 3 match ban.
cos he from man u what... since when FA like man u one??